Sue Turbett
In the unforgiving landscape of 13th century Central Asia, Gulzura is voiceless and powerless, and can only dream of freedom and adventure. When she rescues a baby eagle a powerful alliance is unleashed and she is thrust onto a perilous new path ordained by the gods, but can it survive betrayal, revenge, love and war?
Reviews of Eagle Sister
5* Amazon reviews
"This book is thrilling, exciting and totally original. I cannot recommend it enough... a must read for action, adventure and cliff hangers... every chapter gripped me."
"Gripping read, highly recommend it."
"There are some books that you know you will never forget and this is definitely one of them. The main character is vividly alive and takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of a journey that is emotionally compelling, extremely engaging and very fluently narrated. Will definitely be watching out for this writer's second novel."
"Fantastic setting, storyline and characterisation - I whipped through it. Would love to see a sequel."
Reader reviews
"It transported me back to the foothills of the Tien Shan mountains hunting with eagles from horseback. I read it in one sitting which, in my view, is a testament to really engaging writing, thank you."
Alan Gates, Golden Eagle Falconer, UK
"With her novel Eagle Sister, Sue Turbett has created an intricately layered story of place and character ... an exquisitely portrayed landscape full of both rugged beauty and unforeseen danger.
The writing moves at a pace yet is never rushed.
This novel is so much more than a coming-of-age story. This is a journey of discovery, for both the character and the reader."
Tim Slader, Poet
5* Goodreads reviews
I was pulled into the story straight away and from that point, couldn't put the book down. Highly recommended.
"Genuinely one of the best books I've ever read, such a refreshingly novel storyline. It's a book I think everyone should read."
"Completely absorbing"
"An epic adventure bursting with action and heart: From treacherous mountain peaks to palace intrigues, Gulzura's quest will keep you glued to the page, yearning for her triumph."
"This is an accomplished first novel and deserves a wide audience."
The journey
In 2018 I travelled through Central Asia, across the Five Stans, and as I crossed the vast open grasslands of the steppe Gulzura dropped into my head and insisted I wrote her story.
I returned to Kyrgyzstan in 2019 to spend more time getting to know this beautiful country; living in yurts, travelling on horseback to Son Kul lake, discovering petroglyphs in the foothills of the Tien Shan mountains, visiting the ruins of the ancient city of Balasagun, drinking mare's milk and meeting the golden eagle hunters.
Photos
My photographs from my time in Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan mountains in 2018 and2019
Events and readings
Book Launch - reading, Q&A and signing
Thursday 15 February at 7pm
at Studio 1, Jackson's Lane Arts Centre, N6 5AA
Bookshop - reading, Q&A and signing
Thursday 2 May at 5.30pm
at 'Book', 3 High St Mews, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EA
Guernsey Arts Sunday - reading
Sunday 9 June at 1.30pm
Venue - Town Church, St Peter Port, Guernsey
Buckingham Literary Festival
Saturday 15 June at 12.00pm
Venue - Vinson Centre, Buckingham, MK18 1EG
Buy your ticket here
Book Club - private event - Signing and Q&A
Wing, Buckinghamshire
Thursday 20 June
Book Club - private event - Signing and Q&A
Wingrave, Buckinghamshire
Tuesday 24 September
Book Club - Talk, Q&A and signing
Westbury, Northamptonshire
Thursday 26 September
Email for tickets: cafesoc.westbury@gmail.com
Woodford County High School - Talk and Q&A
Redbridge, London
Tuesday 22 October
Milton Keynes Literary Festival - Talk and Q&A
Wednesday 6 November at 7pm
Venue - on Zoom
Buy your ticket here
If you'd like to read more about eagles, the Silk Road, Genghis Khan or the fascinating history of Central Asia - here is a list of books I thoroughly recommend.
Further reading
Genghis Khan and the making of the Modern World
by Jack Weatherford
The startling true history of how one extraordinary man from a remote corner of the world created an empire that led the world into the modern age.
The Secret History of the Mongol Queens
by Jack Weatherford
How the daughters of Genghis Khan rescued his empire.
The Silk Roads
by Peter Frankopan
A major reassessment of world history, The Silk Roads is a dazzling exploration of the forces that have driven the rise and fall of empires, determined the flow of ideas and goods and are now heralding a new dawn in international affairs.
Eagle Dreams
Although this is set in Mongolia, not Kyrgyzstan, this book is a fascinating account of Steve Bodio's trip to visit the eagle hunters.
Alan Gates - Golden Eagle Falconer
Read here about Alan's experiences with Golden Eagles in the UK,
Work in progress
I am currently working on a novel set
in Ireland and India between 1916 and1919, when both countries were struggling for independence.
Iola, an Anglo-Irish Protestant, is fighting for her own freedom from the constraints of the society she was
born into, as she struggles to find out who she is.
This coming of age story is based loosely on
the life of my Great Aunt Iola (pictured here)
and explores my favourite themes of:
family, loyalty, duty, power,
rebellion and independence.
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